Time to visit the range and have her try other folks guns to see which one she likes the best...most people are proud to have a new shooter check out their gun...just be polite and ask.

Also most ranges have a selection of rental guns...let her test drive a few of them to get an idea of what fits her best...remember, her anatomy and needs in a gun will not likely mirror yours. :<)

Everyone has an opinion and here is mine: Beretta 390 or 391 (12 or 20 gauge)...as they are reliable/soft shooting and they come with stock drop/cast spacers that allow you to custom fit the gun yourself.

It's a softer kicking gun and kicks "in" rather than "up" like the alloy framed eurautos do, an advantage for doubles. However this is achieved through "front heaviness" which can be a disadvantage for some shooters.

To me, the alloy framed european guns lack "staying" power when following through, especially the 391 with its chunky, aluminum alloy receiver, which for me, obscures more peripheral vision (I'm aware of it-which means I'm not looking at the target - I know)

And despite flaming retorts to the contrary, I am a firm believer in the 1100, its gas system and how to maintain it. Strip the two apart side by side someday and you'll see what I mean. There are enough gas system parts in a Beretta 391 to build gas systems for TWO 1100s and an M-1A

I disagree with Van, super sport is very very light and recoil operated. nothing to absorb recoil but action and face. Reason I didnt get the benelli. Great gun in simple design I liked it. just not well suited for recoil sensitive people.

This is our third year of running a women's and juniors Shotgun program. We use a variety of shotguns for both. 870 Youth models, Ruger Red labels, 1100, etc.

Overall, the women actually prefer O/Us. We have Ruger 20 and 28 Gauges with Gracoils and Morgans/Jones pads to adjust LOP.

On the personal level, my wife used to shoot a Rizzini 20 gauge (cut down just for her and her 11 1/2 inch LOP). She is very hard on firearms (blonde?) So... She now uses a Ruger 20 gauge.

We have Remington 1100 youth models and we have had reliability issues with them even with a Gunsmith in our program! And these were purchased new by the way...

Honestly it depends on some more questions.

First, what LOP your Girlfriend is easier to cut down a O/U then some autos.

Second, is she recoil sensitive, either light loads in O/U or gas autos to soak up recoil.

Next, do you plan to reload (affects the cost of smaller gauges like 28 or 410 plus having to chase down empties flung by autoloaders).

Last is cost, what is your price range? This really defines what you will buy. A used 1100 is cheaper then a used Ruger o/u but when both purchased new the price difference is not as much. How much does she plan to shoot with you?